Siezed trailer hitch
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
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Siezed trailer hitch
I have a 2in receiver that is siezed in the trailer hitch.
It been stuck in there for a number of years and I really want to fix it before I put it away for winter
have tried PB plaster soked in for days
Also heat and lot of pounding
I have seen some videos on chaining to a tree but I do not like the idea of putting this shock directly to my frame/. Some of the vids are crazy. If I do this I will pull hitch off truck first
I saw one vid where they cut the receiver out of tube as a last option
Has anyone here had any success with a special method ?
tks
It been stuck in there for a number of years and I really want to fix it before I put it away for winter
have tried PB plaster soked in for days
Also heat and lot of pounding
I have seen some videos on chaining to a tree but I do not like the idea of putting this shock directly to my frame/. Some of the vids are crazy. If I do this I will pull hitch off truck first
I saw one vid where they cut the receiver out of tube as a last option
Has anyone here had any success with a special method ?
tks
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,157
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Lots of PB blaster, and the chain/tree method works, you do not have to do a 3000 RPM neutral drop or clutch dump. lol Or even a tree and a cable come along.
Steady pressure like just the weight of the truck in a free roll (having someone mind the brakes) in a straight out as possible pulling angle. Then sledge hammer tap tap tap in all 4 directions.
Maybe you can get something in the opposite end of the hitch and tap tap.
Or pull the complete hitch, take it to a shop that has a press. BAM done.
Steady pressure like just the weight of the truck in a free roll (having someone mind the brakes) in a straight out as possible pulling angle. Then sledge hammer tap tap tap in all 4 directions.
Maybe you can get something in the opposite end of the hitch and tap tap.
Or pull the complete hitch, take it to a shop that has a press. BAM done.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
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My first thought was chaining it to a tree - but I would just slowly take out the slack. Very slowly, like even pushing the truck by hand, back and forth hammering the chain's taught point against the hitch. But at a slow speed. You might be alright to make the chain snap taught or tight at 10-20 MPH, but I wouldn't risk it.
If you can have the rear tires on pavement, I would just chain it taught, put the truck in Drive and try to power the hitch out, without snapping the chain taught.
But I think if you can get a rocking motion going, with lots of light 'hits' against the taught point, you can get it out.
I would probably also try to use a come-along rather than a chain.
Any pics of the offending hitch?
If you can have the rear tires on pavement, I would just chain it taught, put the truck in Drive and try to power the hitch out, without snapping the chain taught.
But I think if you can get a rocking motion going, with lots of light 'hits' against the taught point, you can get it out.
I would probably also try to use a come-along rather than a chain.
Any pics of the offending hitch?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 828
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From: Hartford, WI
As 77&79F250 said, I'd take the hitch off and use a hydraulic press. Seen that done before as well as using a porta power would be another option.
Instead of a chain.....I'd use a tow strap. If it breaks you don't have to worry about the chain flying and hitting something. While you have tension on the strap heat it up with a acetylene torch. Propane torch won't get it hot enough.
Later, Shortbox4x4
Instead of a chain.....I'd use a tow strap. If it breaks you don't have to worry about the chain flying and hitting something. While you have tension on the strap heat it up with a acetylene torch. Propane torch won't get it hot enough.
Later, Shortbox4x4
New User
Joined: Jan 2016
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What I have done in the past, I have used a come-along. Park the truck and use a chain and come-along tied to something solid. Put some tension on the come-along and use a hammer to tap the hitch. The receiver should come out then.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
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From: St Albert, Alberta
Soak it in penetrating fluid that is the first step
Then use a an air chisel with the mushroom head fitted and hammer on each axis of the insert. The vibration will break up the rust between the insert and the tube allowing it to just pull out.
Works every time.
Then use a an air chisel with the mushroom head fitted and hammer on each axis of the insert. The vibration will break up the rust between the insert and the tube allowing it to just pull out.
Works every time.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
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If normal methods and reasonable force fails, I would take it to a weld shop.
Plan A would be heat the shank cherry red then wax or penetrant. Plan B would be slice it off and slice one wall of the tube inside the receiver. For an experienced hand with acetylene torch, not a big job. An hour or less.
Plan A would be heat the shank cherry red then wax or penetrant. Plan B would be slice it off and slice one wall of the tube inside the receiver. For an experienced hand with acetylene torch, not a big job. An hour or less.
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Senior User
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Re
Thanks everyone
The air chisel is a new idea I might try
I had whole hitch off last summer to try to use heat and push it out from backside. After I could not get the hitch out I painted it and put it back on.
Was hopeful to try something that would not damage paint before I dismount it again.
I should have just had it professionally pressed out while I had it off
Tks again
The air chisel is a new idea I might try
I had whole hitch off last summer to try to use heat and push it out from backside. After I could not get the hitch out I painted it and put it back on.
Was hopeful to try something that would not damage paint before I dismount it again.
I should have just had it professionally pressed out while I had it off
Tks again
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 313
Likes: 2
From: darrtown ohio
can i ask why you want it out? if you want a flat hitch or a different size ball just take the 2in ball off and put different one on. you wont have to worry about somebody stealing the hitch if they do that is good news for you
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 387
Likes: 25
Sometimes......water. I fought with one and simply gave up. Then one day I washed the truck with a pressure washer and gave the hitch a good good soaking for no specific reason. Afterwards the notion crossed my mind to try to remove the hitch again and with a few light whacks with a hammer it began to move. Several years of gravel roads and rust was the root cause, but getting it wet loosened up the dirt that was packed between the hitch & receiver.
I don't leave the hitch in the receiver anymore. One reason is that it can get stuck. The other reason is it's at the perfect level to smash your leg into when walking around the truck (speaking from experience).
I don't leave the hitch in the receiver anymore. One reason is that it can get stuck. The other reason is it's at the perfect level to smash your leg into when walking around the truck (speaking from experience).
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 542
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A little tension from a comealong, ratchet strap, etc. along with some penetrant and a sledge works good - BUT - if you don't pull square with your tension device you can make a new one bind just from cocking it in the tube, so make sure you're pulling square. Mine live on gravel roads, and I stick one every once in a while, too.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Northern Michigan
I'm familiar with a set of torches. Cutting it out isn't that big of a deal if it's not a blind hole. While it may seem like you might melt/cut into the hitch itself, that's really not the case. A difference of a couple hundred degrees is a big deal when cutting steel with fire.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
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From: Saskatchewan
Put a ball in that you don't like and go to town with a sledge. Top, bottom, side then the other side. And when your arms are ready to fall off it will slowly start moving. Don't be afraid to hit it hard. Actually I'm going to try the air hammer idea next time that seems like much less work. Lol.